, 1887-01-09
STRANDED.
STRANDED.
A Disastrous Shipwreck OIL
the Virginia Coast.
Over Twenty Lives Lost in a
Terrible Storm.
Heroic Efforts of a Life Saving
Crew.
A Terrible Disaster.


NORFOLK, Jan. S.-Onc OF the most
disastrous shipwrecks which ever occur
red on the Virginia coast, happened this
morning near Little Island life saving
station, fourteen miles south OF Cape
Henry. Not less than twenty and posi-.
bly, more lives were lost. among them
five life saving men, who in the discharge
of their duty were drowned. The morn
ing was bitterly cold and a binding snow
storm prevailed. with wind blowing a
gale from the northeast. During a lull
in the storm the life SAYING patrol from
Little Island life saving station sighted a
large vessel stranded on the bar about 200
yards from shore. When he saw the
vessel he was going to meet the patrol
from Dam Neck station and exchange
checks to show that both patrolmen had
been to the end of their beat. The D.m
Neck patrol was only a few yards distant
when the vessel was sighted, and
both fired rockets to notify the
crew Of the stranded ship that she
had been seen. They hurried back to
their respective stations and gave an
alarm. In a little while the crews with
life boats and apparatus were abreast OF
the wreck, and a boom mortar announced
that Il line had been shot out to the i'll
fated vessel. The first was unsuccessful,
and a second was fired with a like result.
After firing six unsuccessful shots the life
saving men determined to brave the
furious sea and death which seemed GER
tain to await their venture. The word
of command being given by Capt. Bel
ANA, of the life saving station No. /,
known as Little Island and six of the most
expert boatmen manned each boat at
his command. The men gave way with a
will and in a moment both boats were
breasting the furious waves. They reach
ed the ship in safety and four OF the
ship crew taken in the life boat and ten
in the ships boat, which was launched for
the purpose. The boats were headed for
tiAC suOlt tIu uOi d MOlu MdN SDOhtu. lOl
each man realized the awful peril which
surrounded them. With a steady pull the
two boats were making good Roadway for
the shore, when a wave of great power
struck the boats, capsizing them instantly
and pitching their twenty occupants into
the sea. Then began a desperate struggle
for life, and with many of the mer it was
a prolonged ono. The mortified life savers
on the beach We're powerless to assist
their drowning comrades or the untortun-
ate strangers The drowning men were
carried southwark by the seas and some
of them were washed ashore. As they
came within reach they were picked up
and endeavors were made To revive them
and in two instances with success, although
one of the two is badly injured.
The vessel is the German ship Eliza
beth; Capt. Halberstadt, from Hamburg
to Baltimore. and not one of her crew
survives her wreck. Her cargo is unknown
as high seas have thus far prevented any
attempt to reach her. 1t is thought she
is leaking badly and at sunset her mast
was thought to be giving way.
Ofthe life saving crew, the following
were lost. Abel Belanza, captain of No.
4, known as Little Island; j. W. Land.
same station; George w. Stone, same; j..
A. Belanza, of Dam Neck station, and a
brother OF Abel; Joseph 5prattley, of
Dam Neck. John Etheridge and Frank
Tetford, OF No. 4 station were washed
ashore and resuscitated, but Etheridge is
so badly injured that it is thought he can
not survive.